17 babies are tragically stillborn or die shortly after birth every day in the UK. Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, is there to support anyone affected by the death to a baby and has around 100 local supports Groups  throughout the UK.

Local bereaved mum Marie Manson’s baby, Kieran, died in 1995. After receiving support from Sands and fundraising for the charity with others on the island, raising around £10k, she has decided to set a Shetland Sands support Group for fellow bereaved parents. 

She plans to start the new Group in early 2015. She is calling on anyone else in the area, who has had a baby that has died and feels they might be able to offer support to others, to join her in her efforts. Marie hopes to, in time, be able to offer support meetings and email and telephone support to anyone in the Shetland Islands affected by the death of a baby.

Marie says: -  

“I decided to set up a group in Shetland for Sands to help others who have been through the tragedy of losing a baby. It can be a very lonely time and to have someone to speak to either by email, phone or in person was the best thing for me. 

“I would also like to carry on fundraising and I hope with the new group we can raise funds for Shetland Sands.”

If you are interested in getting involved with the group, or feel you could benefit from the support it will offer, please contact Marie Manson on 01806 566551/079004977746 or marieamanson@hotmail.com or Sands New Groups and Training Coordinator, Lorna Delayahu, on 0203 598 1927 or email lorna.delayahu@uk-sands.org.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information, please contact Natalie Cooper, Sands Press & PR Officer, on 0203 598 1959, e: Natalie.cooper@uk-sands.org.